PARIS – Ousmane Dembele claimed his first Ballon d’Or at the Paris ceremony yesterday, capping a remarkable season for the French forward and Paris St-Germain.
The 28-year-old scored 35 goals and contributed 14 assists in 53 appearances as PSG secured the treble, winning the Champions League, Ligue 1 title, and French Cup. He finished as joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and was named both the league and Champions League player of the year.
Dembele, who beat Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal for the award, appeared on stage in tears, joined by his mother, despite missing PSG’s 1-0 defeat to Marseille due to injury.
“What I have just experienced is exceptional,” he told the audience. “I want to thank PSG for welcoming me in 2023. The president and coach have been like family to me. This individual award is really a collective win for the team.”
The award also marked a career revival for Dembele, who had not reached double figures in league goals since his teenage years at Rennes. PSG manager Luis Enrique, named coach of the year, shifted Dembele from a wide role to centre-forward in December, sparking a surge that saw him score 30 goals from that point onwards.
PSG, also named team of the year, featured five players in the top 10, including Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Nuno Mendes. France’s Dembele became the sixth French player to win the Ballon d’Or and the second of the 21st century after Karim Benzema in 2022.
Lamine Yamal finished second and won the Kopa Trophy for best young player, while Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah placed fourth. Last year’s winner Rodri of Manchester City missed the shortlist following an injury-hit season.
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